Lecture 1: Introduction to Baroque Art

All the popes were decorating the city. They wanted to spread this propaganda.
Why were the popes transforming the city into something so beautiful? Piazzas, churches, artwork, palazzos… why?
• Christian Capital – the seat of the religious power.
• Study the concept of time to answer this question…
o We think of time as one day after another. Baroque men and women perceived time as creation and end of time.
• Images: God separating light from darkness (good and evil). This is from the Sistine Chapel. This is the beginning of Genesis. The end of time- the last judgment.
What is the role of Rome? What happened immediately after genesis?
• Adam and Eve were warned by god. Eve takes the apple from the tree of knowledge. Adam is helping. This is the moment they are expelled from the garden of Eden. Example if Michelangelo of his Expulsion from the Garden of Eden. Imagine what it would feel like if you were told that you were able to die, that you are going to die. Sexuality is the first product of the expulsion. They realize that are mortal and the have to ensure the continuation of life of the city. This is why they are covering themselves. They are ashamed.
o Humanity is seen with sin. Humanity is associated with Adam and Eve because of this.
• Then Christ was born. The Virgin Mary was the vessel for which Jesus was born. He appeared in human form. Why was Christ sent by god to die on the cross? It was to save humanity. It says to humanity, even though you are sinful, will save you. This is a very cleansing feeling. By suffering, Jesus has cleansed us. This shows that Christ is the new Adam and Eve is the new mMary. Why is this important in the universal, cosmic history.
• Christ came to Italy; Christ gave two keys to Peter. “I give you two keys; one made of gold and the other made of bronze or ivory. They represent body and soul. Peter was called the prince of the apostles. He was his successor. The whole power of Christ was given to Peter. One key is of bronze, and one of Iron. They represent body and soul. Peter was the first pope.
• The image of the pope portrays the religion of Christ.
Why is Rome Important?
• The Arch of Salvation. Through the Arch, the world is being perpetually saved.
o 2000- Millions of pilgrims in the city because if they walked through the door, they would be absolved of their sins.
• The story of Castel Sant’Angelo and the angel Michaell
• People come to Rome to see the churches and to touch the relics. These are supposed to save them
• The pope of the 1300 created the Jubilee. The Jubilee is one year that the pope opens the a particular Door of St. Peter’s.
Aenias- Virgil
• Speaks about the burning of Troy. Aenias left Troy to go to found Rome. Troy is the beginning of Western civilization. This is the beginning of classical culture.
o Aenias carrying his father and going toward Rome. When Aenias arrived in the area of Rome and said that “it would be a vast empire without an end.” The myth of Aenias was Christianized. It became the continuity of the Christian empire. This made Aenias sanctified Christianity.
Why is the obelisk universal?
• It shows that they conquered Egypt.
• The Popes placed the obelisks by churches and placed a cross on the top to show that the Popes were the kings of Egypt as well.


The Tiber flooded the city 3 times a year. This is why Rome was covered in layers of dirt. There were buildings all around the Tiber which were taken away and demolished by the Savoy family.

Rome was the center for weird intellectuals and scientist. This was the place to learn about antiquity. Scientists could not reveal their ideas. Thi was the place to study because of so many books in the library. These people Looked at the world through different eyes. Curiousity is the backbone of Baroque art. Many intellectuals came from all over the world to Rome to learn about antiquity. A philosopher was called the Rome of Wonders. The philosopher would be sitting on an armadillo. The incense was burning around him He was also a professional vomiter. He would go to piazza Navona and vomit. That is why there is an Armadillo in Piazza Navona. This shows the curiosity of these people. This is why it is called the age of curiousity. This is an example of the microcosm and the macrocosm.